George R.R. Martin's only children's book owes much to the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and other early children's writers who tackled dark thematic material in their fantasy worlds, even down to its more antiquated writing style. The Ice Dragon almost reads like a fable that has been passed down through generations.

My son in grade 4 just read this aloud to me and we really enjoyed it. A slim, fast-paced book with absolutely stunning illustrations by Luis Royo. Book does contain some very vivid battle imagery including deaths.

From the beginning, Adara was not like other children. She was a “winter child”, and she was not afraid of the ice dragon that inspired so much dread in everyone else when it flew overhead. This unique story of a wonderful friendship and a dangerous quest was written by George R. R. Martin, author of HBO’s “Game of Thrones”.